Search the Community

Yes, I am panicking and am a bit depressed as well. I think I have researched too much. I've read medical abstracts about complications, bulletin boards where people list all their bad experiences, etc., etc. I am questioning whether I picked the best surgeon. Another one in my area has done 2000 bariatric surgeries and has never had a single death. I only have very basic information about my own surgeon. He said one patient died from alcohol poisoning after drinking large quantities of alcohol early in his healing process. Hope I can calm down and be more optimistic before my surgery.

I think the basic guidelines, I'd suggest are, make sure you're able to get all your protein in easily, without needing to supplement. (I still supplement, but just cause I'm lazy, lol) Also to make sure you're all recovered, no major complications, etc.. But I also feel strongly to keep IF in your back pocket, as a secret weapon, when your losses slow, or you are otherwise struggling. I know for me, I needed IF when my hunger monster returned. And now that I'm maintaining, I'm not purposefully IF-ing because I want to save it for if I begin to regain.

Hey there! One way to see if you can live with the lifestyle changes longterm is to start implementing them prior. The ones you can stick to *may* be the ones that will carry you through permanently (i.e. giving up takeout FOREVER vs only having it for special occasions, not being able to exercise in the gym 24/7 RAIN OR SHINE vs walking in the evenings or giving up bread/rice/pasta FOR ETERNITY vs once a month in maintenance, etc.) Think about what you absolutely will never give up and be honest with yourself about if it will work with the post op lifestyle. The things you can't commit to that will cause burnout maybe more harm than help, but only you will know. I'm no special circumstance on either side of the spectrum when it comes to WLS. Mine was slow and unspectacular. But it got me to where i needed to be. I worked arduously for every lb lost. Had to work different angles to accomplish goals. It wasn't too easy but not an epic struggle either. I have made many concessions and given up many things because ive honestly had a lifetime filled with them anyways (my choice) I'm no self proclaimed foodie because i don't necessarily feel the love with food like some may, but I'm not simply ascetic eating for fuel either. I do have a thread that's dedicated directly to food on the board so can see what people are actually eating. Bowel movements with the sleeve aren't that much different pre/post op. Immediately after surgery for me they started out one way then change to another then stabilize (loose, impacted, just right). But this is usually if there are no complications. This surgery is also referred to as Metabolic Surgery so you have to speak with the Team you choose about the science behind that. It will matter. You will not gain and lose like someone who has not had surgery or their metabolism reset/altered. It *may* be possible to gain/lose on less/more calories than before because your BMR will be lowered/accelerated. I've seen a few posts where people are going in not understanding this and are bewildered later. But there is no precursor to knowing where you will land. Many many many things can effect your outcome. Your journey is going to be as individual as you are. You will have to tailor it around what will work best for you. Team/sites/groups/studies can give you expected outcomes based on averages but you may fall at either end of that haunting bell curve. Or like me just sitting somewhere on the middle of it often eating a salad and being a vigilant watchman again regain. Good Luck 💜

Are these the same things? I am trying to do more research on the procedure but I keep finding it called Loop Duodenal Switch or Duodenal Switch and was wondering if they are different procedures or the same one. Thank you for any help! Plus if you've had it, I would really like to know if you had any complications!

I want to lead off by saying I am an outlier. I had a very easy surgery and recovery. I have an iron sleeve, almost nothing bothers it, and hasn't from the beginning. I have lost 100% of my excess weight, am below my goal weight, and have maintained for nearly 6 months now. So, take what I say with a grain of salt, knowing that I have been supremely lucky, and the stars have aligned for me, for now (who knows what the future holds though). I am also a foodie. I eat out very frequently, both for business, and just as my personal lifestyle. I have not have any issue eating a very wide range of food (with one exception, I'll get to later). My first business trip was 3 weeks post op. It was a week long wine and dine event, with elaborate meals, dinners being upwards of 20 courses. I ate ahead of my plan, and had little tiny bits of just about everything. I don't recommend this, but it caused no issue for me, other than a weight gain of 3 lbs when I returned. I have been on multiple international trips post op. I ate meat pies and drank beer in Scotland. I ate pasta and drank wine in Italy. I ate falafel and drank tea in Egypt. BUT, it wasn't all just eat whatever I want, but smaller portions. I balanced "off plan" meals with being very disciplined, especially when I was home. For many months, until my hunger returned, I was routinely under 500 cals a day. I took advantage of not being hungry, and not having head hunger triggers, by eating to only get my required protein in, and therefore consuming very few cals, many days. Now that I am in maintenance, I have been fortunate so far. My BMR appear to be north of 1500 cals a day. I still have a fair amount of restriction, so I am able to eat relatively freely. But I log everything I eat and weigh myself nearly everyday I am home. I am willing to adjust my diet and cals in order to maintain at a weight I'm happy with (which may eventually end up higher than my current weight). But even if I do end up having to be more careful with my diet, it will always be a combo of disciplined and splurge meals. It will just be about finding the balance between the two. On the topic of digestive issues, I have had no accidents, no diarrhea (other than the occasional that everyone gets from time to time). I was constipated early post op, and added Benefiber to every non-water liquid I ingested. I can get nausea if I over eat, but it passes quickly. I have only gotten sick twice, and it was vitamins on too empty of a stomach. The only negative consequence I have had, is dumping-ish symptoms, from time to time. Occasionally it is random, but the most common trigger is liquid sugar, such as Vietnamese coffee, or Baileys Irish Cream for example. I just get extreme nausea and my heart races. So I've given up any large quantities of sweet beverages, or anything similar, like ice cream, pudding. So, it is possible to live a normal foodie life, post sleeve. But this journey is very, very individual. It is a true YMMV situation. So just as there are outliers who have lots of complications & food sensitivities, I am an outlier that has had practically none. I am at one extreme of the bell curve. Hope that helps!

I have had both. For me, I was determined to do the sleeve despite my surgeon saying that Bypass is the Cadillac of surgeries. I thought that RNY just seemed so... final. I wasn't ready to commit. So I had the sleeve and I can tell you that for ME, I woke up from surgery hungry and I stayed hungry. Then had a complication, but that's neither here nor there when it comes to choosing my surgery. forward to this February and I had RNY. Sooooo much better (for ME). I wasn't hungry. I now feel restriction where I didn't before. I don't feel weird or that different, except that I feel like my tool is working for me now. Good luck with choosing! Maybe just think about your reasons for wanting one over the other and analyse that.

I agree completely. I am a former chef (went to the cia etc) and even if i hadn't been in the food and bev field - for my family and friends food is a huge huge deal. The pre-op diet and the first month in my opinion was the hardest for me. May i never have to be on a life time pureed diet ( it wasn't that bad - it only lasts a few weeks). You won't know until you have the surgery what your experience will be. Will you have complications (rare), will you not eventually be able to stomach red meat...will you be a slow loser (holla to all the slow losers like me)...will you wake up hungry? You might for a while think i just don't care about food but it will pass for most people. Take up bridge or some other new hobby in the interim. I say all of this because I think expectations pre-surgery aren't talked about enough. We are all special snowflakes. You are going to have to decide whether or not being a foodie trumps being healthy. For me, the fear of becoming diabetic, having to take hypertension medication, etc. Took priority over anything i could put into my mouth, no matter how delicious. Being a foodie doesn't have to stop because of the fact you have a new normal. Your new lifestyle will take some time to, just to but last night i made a Sicilian meatball recipe with sauce over mashed cauliflower. I ate about a 1/4 cup of meatballs and sauce and whatever left of the mashed cauliflower until I am full ( like 1/8th of a cup). It was great. I am a little over six weeks out and should be in the 600-800 calorie range. You may have to be a bit more creative if you aren't used to watching your carb intake, but over time, I believe it does get easier. I regret I didn't have the surgery before my umpteenth yoyo dieting attempt , hich I believed was the 'last time'. I lost 65 pounds and put on 72 pounds over a year and some change. I swear if i could add all the weight i loss together over the years, i am sure it would be around what i weigh currently 238. Good health, whatever you choose.

The purpose of this diet is to improve your surgical outcome (smaller liver volume, improves blood work, promotes faster healing, les incision infection and other complications). You are also already in the mind set of discipline and dietary restrictions post op helping you during the recovery. For most of us the diet and weight loss happens several times before we commit to surgery and at this time we know that we are unsuccessful long term without this additional tool. My honest advice to you is to do a lot of soul searching and have some serious and committed attempts to loose weight with diet and exercise alone before you decide to have the surgery. It is a great tool if understood and used correctly but it is also life altering and not easy at the same time. You may regret going through this road if you feel like diet and exercise will work for you to achieve your weight loss goals.

those feelings are pretty normal. As far as buyer's remorse, I've been participating in the bariatric community for probably six years, and I know (or know of) VERY few people who have regretted it. They all had complications - but complications are pretty rare, as I'm sure you've been told. I'd guess at least 95% of the people who've gone through it are so happy they did.

I am so sorry that you've had such terrible complications. Hoping everything turns around for you quickly.

I am sooo sorry you are struggling with these awful complications. I don't have any advice, but I'd like to pray for you. Stay strong. ((Hugs)) Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

I had my band placed in 2005 in Tijuana. I had a great experience and lost about 60lbs in the first year or so. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis in 2009. I have never been able to get my thyroid properly regulated which has caused numerous problems. I have had a lot of issues the past 7 years with reflux, aspiration, and pain in my upper stomach. Basically i have been bulimic for 14 years. I finally went to see an endocrinologist who told me that my band has probably created absorption issues which could be why i cant get regulated. I am scheduled to have my band removed in Tijuana on June 7th. I was hoping someone could share their experience of their removal, any complications, etc. I’m excited to know if relief is immediate.

Hi there! You will be hard pressed to find a reputable surgical team that will suggest lapbands anymore (It was not even an option at my practice only revision surgery from lapband to something else was offered) As for the type of surgery you choose, I would suggest a frank conversation with your team regarding your specific realistic likely outcome & about all the factors that will influence this (that they have seen such as age, genetics, race, medical issues, gender, etc) and ask a ton of questions including revision/recidivism rates for the surgeries they offer (no one really wants 2 surgeries when 1 will do), longest term success rates, most/least complications, most managable post op lifestyle, GERD & hair loss, etc then go with the best option for you. Good luck

I had Roux NY gastric bypass on February 4th and I’m 55 . So far I haven’t had any complications and I’ve lost 60 lbs. I had a hiatal hernia repaired as well and my acid reflux ( With Barrett’s esophagus) ALL GONE.. unfortunately, I feel like I could ( and felt for a while) load up my pouch WAY more and do it comfortably.. I asked my surgeon if she was sure she operated!!! I haven’t cheated ... trying to get all my water and protein and I’m determined to change my life and I have had success, I just thought I’d feel more restricted... my fear of failure kept me up last night.. a weigh in today and visit with my surgeon.. had to leave my therapist and am on the hunt for one who specializes in eating disorders and weight loss. I’m doing everything right but the fear of failure is palpable.

I have been open about WLS from the moment I made my decision. I explained why it was important for my health and what my motivations were (to kick type 2 diabetes to the curb and to be able to survive to see my wee-lings graduate and marry someday). Almost all people in my life have been immensely supportive and have been cheering me on through the prep and surgery process. A few have expressed concern or doubt, but I've taken those opportunities to educate them. And ultimately I reminded them that this is my body, my choice. People don't question a cancer patient undergoing chemo or radiation, and that's putting poison in their body (on a most basic level). This surgery is just as life saving. Ultimately it's your choice to tell or not. I'll leave you with one final thought. Everything will likely go very well for you, but heaven forbid you are in the very small percentage of people who have complications... would you want to walk through that alone? Who would you want at your side? Sent from my SM-G960W using BariatricPal mobile app

I would absolutely NOT get the surgery again if I had the choice. On the day of my surgery I cried because I was scared of complications. The surgeon assured me that the complication rate was low and I was healthy. Well, guess who had complications? This girl!! It's been the worst 2 months of my life. It is absolutely your decision and lots of people are happy with it, but I wouldn't reccomend it. Good luck on your weight loss and decision!!

Hi newbie, Regain is not one simple answer for people that experience it. Have compassion. Learn from the stories and experiences of everyone here. For people reading this thread and are new or researching surgery. Regain does not happen to all of us. follow this link to positive outcomes for a balanced perspective of weight loss surgery. https://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/423992-what-you-had-no-surgery-complications/?tab=comments#comment-4758950 Have you had your pre op class yet? Surgery is only a tool. You must do the work. This is not the easy way out. Surgery restriction alone will not keep you successful long term.

Hi, I'm new to the group...I have my sleeve surgery may 28 and am excited! I had the realize band in 2008 and lost 110 pounds.... But it had to be removed in 2016 due to complications. All the weight came back, along with high blood pressure and a hiatal herni. Any others out there that went from band to sleeve and had a hiatal hernia repair? Was there any issues with adhesions or scar tissue? Thanks

My RNY was done May 8th. No complications. They also repaired a hiatal hernia I had. I didn’t have any nausea or vomiting. I was able to drink right away. My incisions are nearly healed already. Liquid diet sucks. I’m sick of all the sweet crap. What I would give for everything to have more savory options. Soup is my savior. I’m still tired some. I’m thirsty ALL the time. And STARVING!! I can’t wait for puréed food!! Maybe 11 more days, I hope!

With the sleeve, I was told to expect to lose 65% of my excess body weight. I didn’t care if my loss was slow or fast. I just wanted to be healthy. you cannot control your age, sex, hormones, genes, medical issues, complications, medications, illness etc. These will be factors in the amount and speed of weight loss. You can control how you work your plan. Weigh and Log your food, keep within your calories/macros, hydrate and exercise. I reached goal of 140 in six months. This is not the norm. I’m five years out and maintain in the 130’s. I was more excited when I got under 200.

YES AND IT WAS THE BEST DECISION I MADE... I started on the treadmill about 2 months before gettin on the treadmill about 5 days per week. The last month I did 30 straight days on the treadmill, I was told by my surgeon that lessons chances of issues during surgery and basically gets your blood flowing and it's helps with recovery... I had surgery on 5/13 and I am already back on the treadmill yesterday 5/18.... No complication and weight coming off, so I vote for yes get on the treadmill everyday... Hope this helps...

I started out about 7 weeks before my surgery on a Very Low Calorie Diet (600 calories perday) and worked out 2 times per day. I lost over 30 lbs and got my self ready for the surgery. I had surgery on the 15th of May and I am doing fine, no complications, no pain nothing. I say keep it up and get on a very strict diet, you will be glad you did.

I worked to get my RNY surgery for almost a year. As the date approached, I got more and more nervous. It is a big deal - choosing an elective major surgery. As I was lying on the pre-op bed, I started crying and thinking maybe I should get up and leave. My surgeon came in and assured me that it would be OK and that none of his patients had ever come back regretting the procedure. My PCP previously had told me that if I had been able to do it on my own, I would have by now, Both doctors were right. This is about the best thing I have ever done for myself. Yes, I had a complication of a blood clot and am still on a blood thinner, but after 70+ pounds gone I feel like a new person. I am doing things I have not done for decades. I wish I had done it sooner in a way, but I really did need to come to a place in my life where I was willing to make the needed lifestyle changes first, and for the right reasons - health. And my commitment needed to be total. My life slogan now is "I AM NEVER GOING BACK!" If that means no more sugar, wheat, soda, coffee, alcohol, or processed foods, then so be it. My health is worth more than any of those things. Yup, my skin is getting saggy - but I am 63 years old, and the collagen just aint what it used to be. But so what? I am happier and healthier and saggy skin is just a badge of the journey. Haven't lost any hair yet, but again, if I do, so what? It will grow back. (have been taking Biotin 10,000 mcg since week 2 and nails are super strong so I hope it will also prevent hair loss). I have so much energy and stamina, my mental health is better, my sleep apnea is nearly gone, asthma improved, no GERD, my back and joints don't hurt anymore, I am not embarrassed in public, and I actually feel cold instead of sweating all the time. What's not to love? Being scared is normal for a lot of people. It just means you realize the risks. But you will never realize the benefits until you get to the other side. And this is the chance you have to take. If you could have done it on your own, you would have, It is still going to be a lot of work. This is not easy, but WLS is a tool that can give you the jump start you need for health and happiness for the rest of your life.

Hi everyone. So I’m like 2 days post op. Surgery was on 5/16. I’m doing ok considering. I’m holding down liquids but the gas pain is incredible and I just don’t feel normal. I’m sore everywhere from the IV’s and shots but my main concern is how high my blood pressure is after surgery. I was discharged on 5/17 and I was told that it’s my body adjusting. Did anyone else experience this? Before surgery my pressure was 116/82 and while I do have a history of hypertension I’ve been controlling it for a while. I’m on spirnolactone for the hair growth but it treats the hypertension as well. Now that I’m crushing them I feel I may not be getting the whole thing but I’m concern. I don’t want any complications from this. If by Monday is still high I’m calling my PCP but I hate the idea of getting on more meds. I’m already on too many meds. Sigh. Anyway sorry for the rant. Hope everyone is doing well.

I'm 8weeks out and I feel like I'm never going to be normal! I'm always afraid of complications. I'm having issues with foods. It's taking me forever to advance and I get NO HELP from my dietician she doesn't even answer calls or emails and i can't seem to find another one. I just want to be ok.